Peace plan submitted to US, says Zelensky

KYIV/MOSCOW — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukraine had handed proposals to US negotiators to end the conflict with Russia.

Zelensky's announcement of fresh proposals for peace talks, which have largely stalled since the outbreak of the conflict with Iran, comes amid suggestions by both Russia and Ukraine that US negotiators would soon visit their two countries.

"We have conveyed our proposals to the American side," Zelensky said in his nightly video address. "And the United States can help strengthen our defense, first and foremost with air defense, and put pressure on Russia so that its plans are different — to prepare for an end to the war rather than prolonging it."

Zelensky offered no details on the proposals.

US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were in Moscow last January and have not yet visited Kyiv. Ukraine has repeatedly called for a ceasefire after nearly 4.5 years of fighting.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times said on Wednesday that Ukraine has paused drone strikes on oil tankers using Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk after a request from US Vice-President JD Vance, citing Ukrainian officials.

The paper said last month's request followed US alarm that Ukraine was destabilizing oil markets and harming US firms by targeting tankers carrying crude oil from Kazakhstan to a Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal at the port.

The White House, State Department and Vance's office did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

However, Zelensky said on Telegram on Wednesday that Ukraine had hit Russia's Novorossiysk naval base overnight with drones, missiles and unmanned boats.

Four industry sources told Reuters on Wednesday that two of Russia's largest grain terminals at the port of Novorossiysk have suspended operations following overnight drone strikes.

The mayor of Novorossiysk, Andrei Kravchenko, said on Wednesday that the port's water supply had been suspended after damage caused by Ukrainian drones.

In Moscow, Russia's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that it had intercepted and destroyed 502 Ukrainian drones over various regions overnight and had hit a fuel depot in the port of Odesa, which it said was used to supply the Ukrainian army.

'Forced to respond'

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday threatened to seize ships belonging to European countries in retaliation for plans to intercept and seize Russian vessels suspected of being part of Moscow's "shadow fleet".

"We will be forced to respond in kind," Putin said while overseeing naval drills in Russia's Far East, adding that Moscow would act "wherever we ourselves deem necessary and appropriate — anywhere".

"It's nothing but piracy and robbery," Putin said.

The Pacific Fleet chief, Viktor Liina, reported to Putin that the navy was ready to start inspections of the commercial ships serving the "unfriendly nations".

He noted that many of the ships operated by British, French and other European carriers fly the flags of other nations, effectively making them a "shadow fleet".

Some European governments have said they are exploring tougher maritime enforcement measures against ships suspected of evading sanctions.

AGENCIES VIA XINHUA